LONDON — Prime Minister Stephen Harper was granted a private, 20-minute “audience” with the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday.

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Afterwards, Harper and Her Majesty unveiled a new portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, commissioned by the Canadian government.

The meeting came after several days of boisterous celebrations in Britain for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, marking her 60 years on the throne.

The massive painting of the Queen, which measures about 2.7 metres by 1.8 metres, will eventually be brought back to Canada, to be hung in Rideau Hall, home of the Governor General.

Gov. Gen. David Johnston also participated in the unveiling of the portrait.

The Queen, in casual conversation with Harper and Johnston, was clearly struck by the size of the painting.

“It’s changed quite a bit since I last saw it,” she said to Phil Richards, the Canadian artist who painted the portrait.

“Yes, it went from six inches to this,” Richards replied.

“That’s changed,” the Queen said, pointing at part of the painting.

“Do you think you’ll have to rebuild Rideau Hall?” she asked Johnston.

The Queen also asked how the painting was shipped to London. Richards explained that it came in a crate.

How long did it take to paint, she wondered.

Two years, he replied.

“Well, it is a lot of work.”

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Earlier in the morning, a motorcade carrying Harper and his wife, Laureen, arrived at Buckingham Palace and was greeted by palace staff.

Ten minutes later, Harper was ushered into a private meeting with the Queen. Just the two of them were in the room, and the topic of their discussions was not revealed.

Twenty minutes later, the portrait unveiling occurred in another room ó the White Drawing Room ó where a small group of people was gathered. Among those present were: Laureen Harper; the prime minister’s children Ben and Rachel; the Governor General; Gordon Campbell, high commissioner to Britain; and Heritage Minister James Moore.

The Queen entered the room wearing a blue and white patterned dress and carrying a black handbag.

She shook the hands of several people, including Richards, then walked over to the painting, which was covered by a large red drape.

Before she pulled the rope to expose what lay underneath, Harper said a few words.

REUTERS/Lefteris Pitarakis/Pool

“This portrait represents the appreciation of all Canadians for 60 years of outstanding service to our country and the Commonwealth,” said the prime minister.

“I would be honoured if you would do us the pleasure of unveiling the portrait.”

The Queen pulled at the rope, revealing the painting in which Her Majesty is pictured standing by a desk at Rideau Hall in front of a Canadian flag. In the background of the portrait is the Queen’s great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria ó the only other Canadian monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee.

Richards, a Toronto artist whose previous works include the official painting of former Ontario premier Bob Rae, later told reporters his portrait of the Queen was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

During the two-year project, he met with the Queen to discuss his ideas for the painting, and sent her sketches and a photo before the final portrait was done.

She did not sit for the portrait, but he had access to thousands of photographs of her throughout the decades, as well as photos of her at Rideau Hall.

He said he knew her portrait wouldn’t be easy to make unique.

“The image has been reproduced more than any human being in history,” he said. “It made it more difficult because so many people have a mind’s eye image of what she looks like.”

Ultimately, he said, he tried to present a facial expression that reflects how she was remembered over the decades ó capturing an “iconic” figure in an important institution, the monarchy.

“I think she’s a very intelligent person. I think she is reserved. I think she is dedicated, but I think there is a warmth there as well.

“To me, I have always seen Queen Elizabeth as the ultimate matriarchal figure, almost like Queen of the world, not just of the Commonwealth.”

The portrait is the third one commissioned by the government of Canada during the Queen’s reign.

The painting will be displayed at the Canadian High Commission’s cultural centre ó Canada House ó in London’s Trafalgar Square until next Thursday and then be returned to Canada to be installed at Rideau Hall.

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